as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
poorly worded instructions that must have resulted in a lot of head-scratching
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of head-scratching
Punishment for tripping a horse One head-scratching law in New Mexico is one that involves the penalty for tripping a horse.
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Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2024
Dress right For a relaxed city, there are some head-scratching dress codes in Sydney.
—Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2024
But the process wasn’t without stumbles, contradictions and head-scratching decisions.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 10 Dec. 2024
And what if the aesthetic of this delightfully off-kilter, head-scratching experience were indebted to French new wave cinema, particularly Alain Resnais 1961 classic, Last Year at Marienbad?
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for head-scratching 
Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2024
Dress right For a relaxed city, there are some head-scratching dress codes in Sydney.
—Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2024
But the process wasn’t without stumbles, contradictions and head-scratching decisions.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 10 Dec. 2024
And what if the aesthetic of this delightfully off-kilter, head-scratching experience were indebted to French new wave cinema, particularly Alain Resnais 1961 classic, Last Year at Marienbad?
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for head-scratching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-scratching
Noun
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Here are three important steps that can make a difference: Simplify access to affordable internet programs: Right now, the USF includes several different programs to help people get connected, but they’re scattered across multiple agencies, creating confusion and frustration.Randy Ray, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025
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This creates immense confusion about how we’re supposed to store and ship our online orders.Benjamin Adams, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Felsenthal had already made some clear-sky sea paintings by the time the fog rolled in on that July day in Pleasant Bay.Grace Edquist, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, there are, of course reasons why the fog might smell of chemicals.Emma Woollacott, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Health insurance can involve a tangle of limitations due to provider networks, medical necessity rules and preauthorization requirements.Jay Feinman, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025
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Struggling to keep track of a tangle of chargers while flying?Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near head-scratching
Cite this Entry
“Head-scratching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-scratching. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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